Setting the Stage: The Premise and Early Conflicts
The animated film “Brave,” released in 2012 by Pixar, is more than just a story of a princess defying expectations. It’s a powerful exploration of familial bonds, the courage to forge one’s own destiny, and the enduring strength found within the heart. Central to the film’s narrative, and its captivating storytelling, is the enigmatic figure of Mor’du, a fearsome bear, representing not only a physical threat but also a cautionary tale. But what truly drives the suspense and emotional investment in “Brave” is the careful crafting of the rising action. This article delves deep to answer the question: what is the rising action in “Legend of Mor’du”? We will explore the escalating series of events that build towards the film’s powerful climax, ultimately shaping the themes and impacting the viewer’s experience.
The film’s narrative begins with a setting of the Scottish Highlands, a land of towering castles, rolling green hills, and an atmosphere rich with tradition. We’re introduced to Merida, a spirited and unconventional princess. She chafes under the weight of royal expectations. She is a skilled archer and a free spirit, longing for adventures and resisting the preordained path set before her. This initial setup introduces the first layer of conflict. Merida’s struggle against societal expectations forms the bedrock upon which the rest of the story will build. This tension with her mother, Queen Elinor, is a constant. The Queen, a firm believer in tradition, wishes to see Merida fulfill her duty as a princess, namely, through marriage to one of the sons of the allied clans.
The Contest of Clans arrives, bringing with it a flurry of eager suitors. Merida vehemently rejects the prospect of arranged marriage, finding herself trapped within a situation she cannot embrace. The very idea stifles her free will and fuels her rebellious spirit. Merida’s open defiance of tradition and familial obligation sets the stage for a deeper conflict. Her desire to control her own destiny serves as the primary impetus driving the early stages of the rising action. This conflict is not just a personal struggle; it’s a battle against the ingrained expectations of her society, a fight for her own identity and self-worth.
The tension between Merida and her mother, Queen Elinor, escalates. Elinor’s desire for Merida to conform clashes directly with Merida’s independent nature. Their arguments and misunderstandings form the emotional core of the first act, creating a palpable sense of growing frustration and a widening gap between them. The dialogue between the two is critical. It shows the frustration from both parties and the misunderstandings that start to create the divide.
During the film, the wisps, mystical blue lights, appear to guide Merida towards the solution she craves. The appearance of the wisps hints at a magical element, subtly introducing the idea that something beyond the realm of normal events is about to unfold. This foreshadowing begins to hint at the story’s turning point.
The Turning Point: The Witch’s Curse
Driven to desperation, Merida seeks a means to change her mother’s mind, to bend tradition to her will. She stumbles upon the Witch, a reclusive figure living within the woods. The Witch, a memorable character with a penchant for wood carving, offers a spell to “change her fate.” The Witch’s workshop, with its magical items and cryptic hints, heightens the suspense, as Merida unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events with unforeseen consequences.
Driven by a desire to fix her issues with her mother, Merida makes a critical error: she uses the spell. The outcome is immediate and transformative: Queen Elinor is changed into a bear. This transformation serves as the pivotal turning point of the story. It shifts the narrative into a different realm, introducing tangible physical threats and complicating the family dynamics. The rising action takes a sharp turn, as the core conflict now becomes much more tangible. The stakes are higher than ever. The transformation is not just a change in appearance; it represents the potential for irrevocable damage.
The Stakes Rise: Dealing with the Bear Transformation
Elinor’s transformation into a bear throws everything into disarray. She must now adjust to a new physical form, and a heightened danger level. The immediate fallout of the curse forces Merida to face the consequences of her impulsive actions. It begins a desperate race against time. Merida must now not only cope with her mother’s new form but also begin the search for a way to reverse the spell. The rising action moves beyond the initial conflict of expectation. Now, the focus shifts to the physical threat and the ticking clock of the curse.
Merida’s relationship with her mother undergoes a profound shift. They are forced to navigate the challenges of this new reality together, requiring a level of empathy and communication that has been missing from their relationship before. The challenges of caring for a bear as a mother pushes the emotional core of the rising action. The bond between mother and daughter is tested and strained.
The curse’s ticking clock creates constant tension. If the spell is not reversed by the second sunrise, the transformation will become permanent, sealing Elinor’s fate and plunging the family into despair. This element elevates the danger, giving a real sense of urgency to Merida’s quest to find a solution. The imminent threat of permanent separation drives the narrative forward and the stakes rise with each passing scene.
The Danger Deepens: Foreshadowing Mor’du’s Influence
The rising action further intensifies through the foreshadowing of Mor’du’s influence. The legend of Mor’du, a prince consumed by darkness and transformed into a monstrous bear, becomes a focal point. The story of Mor’du provides a dark mirror to Elinor’s situation, offering a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked anger, pride, and selfishness. The rising action then begins to emphasize the antagonist through the creation of a legend that drives the story.
As Elinor struggles to adapt, she faces the threat of other animals and a constantly changing environment. The forests become darker, and the dangers become more apparent. The presence of Mor’du becomes a haunting specter, a symbol of the potential for complete corruption. This gradual introduction of the antagonist heightens the suspense and prepares the audience for the ultimate confrontation. The growing danger adds an element of survival to the plot. The focus is no longer just about reversing the spell; it’s about surviving in the perilous wild and avoiding the ultimate fate that befell Mor’du.
The Climax’s Approach: The Final Confrontations and Choices
The final scenes of the rising action involve the family’s efforts to reverse the spell. They search frantically for a solution, piecing together clues and battling the limitations of time. This phase shows a culmination of the main characters learning what they are capable of.
As they try to get the reversal, Merida and Elinor are forced to work together to find a solution. The family must overcome the conflicts of the past, showing that the bonds of love and family are stronger than the destructive forces of the curse. This provides more complexity, showing that the rising action does not just revolve around the central plot of the mother and daughter relationship but extends to include the whole family.
The climax draws ever closer, and the emotional stakes are elevated. They are faced with a terrible choice, forcing Merida to confront her actions, accepting her role, and accepting her own agency. The discovery of Mor’du’s history becomes critical. Merida learns about Mor’du and the consequence of his choices. This information underscores the severity of their situation.
The choices that Merida and her family make as they struggle with the curse set the stage for the climax of the movie. This leads to the ultimate resolution and the lessons that are learned.
Conclusion
What is the rising action in “Legend of Mor’du”? In “Brave,” the rising action is a finely crafted sequence of events. From the initial conflict of Merida and her family’s expectations to the escalating dangers posed by the Witch’s curse and the looming threat of Mor’du, the movie builds suspense and emotional investment in the viewers. The actions do not just propel the plot forward, but also develop the characters. By exploring these elements of the rising action, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness of storytelling. It’s a journey that showcases the importance of family, courage, and the power of self-acceptance, making “Brave” a timeless tale that resonates with viewers of all ages. The rising action is not just a series of events; it is the very heart of the story.
